You can become a member of the Finnish Seamen's Union and its unemployment fund if you work on a merchant ship, in coastal and inland water transportation, on a tugboat or in some other capacity, which is connected to shipping.

The most significant benefit of membership is that employees do not need to negotiate by themselves with their employer about the minimum terms and conditions of employment. The trade union will do this on the members' behalf. The Finnish Seamen's Union has concluded and will conclude collective bargaining agreements with the shipping company associations, shipping companies and with other employers about salaries and their increases, overtime remuneration, working hours, annual holidays and other important terms and conditions of employment.

The Finnish Seamen's Union also monitors compliance with these collective agreements. The union's members are also entitled to expert-, negotiation- and legal assistance in situations of dispute in working life. In addition, the members are entitled to participate in different courses organised by the union. The members are also entitled to receive other benefits offered by the Finnish Seamen's Union, many of which include substantial discounts and other benefits of monetary value.